Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing a subject as having a neurological disorder, such as Alzheimer's disease, using proximity-based detection assays capable of detecting complexes containing two or more synaptic proteins, such as neuronal pentraxins, from a blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or other fluid sample of the subject. Also disclosed are methods of evaluating and monitoring subjects having or at risk of developing a neurological disorder using the aforementioned assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cognitive function. More specifically, the present invention provides compositions and methods useful for assessing cognitive dysfunction/function in Alzheimer's disease and other diseases of cognition. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) reducing heterocomplexes comprising NPTX1 and NPTX2 present in a biological sample obtained from the patient into NPTX1 and NPTX2 monomers; (b) covalently modifying the thiol groups of the NPTX1 and NPTX2 monomers to prevent re-formation of NPTX1/NPTX2 heterocomplexes; (c) detecting NPTX2 in the sample; and (d) assessing cognitive function in the patient by comparing NPTX2 detected in the sample to a control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cognitive function. More specifically, the present invention provides compositions and methods useful for assessing cognitive dysfunction/function in Alzheimer's disease and other diseases of cognition. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) reducing heterocomplexes comprising NPTX1 and NPTX2 present in a biological sample obtained from the patient into NPTX1 and NPTX2 monomers; (b) covalently modifying the thiol groups of the NPTX1 and NPTX2 monomers to prevent re-formation of NPTX1/NPTX2 heterocomplexes; (c) detecting NPTX2 in the sample; and (d) assessing cognitive function in the patient by comparing NPTX2 detected in the sample to a control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cognitive function. More specifically, the present invention provides compositions and methods useful for assessing cognitive dysfunction/function in Alzheimer's disease and other diseases of cognition. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) reducing heterocomplexes comprising NPTX1 and NPTX2 present in a biological sample obtained from the patient into NPTX1 and NPTX2 monomers; (b) covalently modifying the thiol groups of the NPTX1 and NPTX2 monomers to prevent re-formation of NPTX1/NPTX2 heterocomplexes; (c) detecting NPTX2 in the sample; and (d) assessing cognitive function in the patient by comparing NPTX2 detected in the sample to a control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cognitive function. More specifically, the present invention provides compositions and methods useful for assessing cognitive dysfunction/function in Alzheimer's disease and other diseases of cognition. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) reducing heterocomplexes comprising NPTX1 and NPTX2 present in a biological sample obtained from the patient into NPTX1 and NPTX2 monomers; (b) covalently modifying the thiol groups of the NPTX1 and NPTX2 monomers to prevent re-formation of NPTX1/NPTX2 heterocomplexes; (c) detecting NPTX2 in the sample; and (d) assessing cognitive function in the patient by comparing NPTX2 detected in the sample to a control.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that neuronal pentraxins play a role in the clustering and internalization of AMPA receptors, synaptogenesis, and metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated long term depression (LTD) of a synapse. Accordingly, there are provided methods of identifying compounds that that modulate mGluR-mediated AMPA receptor internalization and LTD. Further provided are cleavage products of a member of the neuronal pentraxin family, neuronal pentraxin receptor (NPR). Also provided are isolated peptides comprising the Narp association regions 1 and 2 (NAR1 and NAR2, respectively) and the Narp binding motif (NBM) of AMPA receptors. Finally, there are provided antibodies that block binding of neuronal pentraxins to AMPA receptors, in particular, antibodies that bind NAR1, or NAR2, or NBM.

Abstract: The invention features a method of identifying, evaluating and screening for compounds or agents for the treatment of disorders involving the Homer signaling pathway in the modulation of immunosupression and neuroprotection. The method includes evaluating the ability of agents to modulate Homer protein activity, Homer protein/immunophilin-peptidylproline cis-trans isomerase interaction, and/or Homer protein/proline-type Homer ligand consensus sequence interaction to identify agents for such treatment. The invention also discloses treatment modalities involving agents identified by such methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleotide coding sequences and polypeptide sequences for synaptic activation binding proteins that are characterized by induction in the central nervous system following neuronal activity in rat hippocampus. Such proteins are identified by (i) substantial homology at the nucleotide or protein sequence level to specifically defined rat, human or mouse coding sequences or proteins, (ii) ability to bind to and affect the activity of effector proteins in the CNS, such as metabotropic glutamate receptors, (iii) binding specificity for a particular binding sequence, and (iv) presence in the sequence of a PDZ-like domain. Nucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful in screening and diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a compound that modulates a cellualr response associated with Homer and mediated by a cell-surface or an intracellular receptor. A method is further provided for identifying a compound that modulates receptor activated calcium mobilization associated with Homer. A method is provided for identifying a compound that inhibits Homer protein activity based on the crystal structure coordinates of Homer protein binding domain. A method is also provided for identifying a compound that affects the formation of cell surface receptors into clusters. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding Homer proteins as well as Homer proteins, and Homer interacting proteins.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a compound that modulates a cellualr response associate with Homer and mediated by a cell-surface or an intracellular receptor. A method is further provided for identifying a compound that modulates receptor activated calcium mobilization associated with Homer. A method is provided for identifying a compound that inhibits Homer protein activity based on the crystal structure coordinates of Homer protein binding domain. A method is also provided for identifying a compound that affects the formation of cell surface receptors into clusters. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding Homer proteins as well as Homer proteins, and Homer interacting proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel, specifically expressed proteins and to nucleic acid sequences or transgenic nucleic acid constructs which encode the proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleotide coding sequences and polypeptide sequences for synaptic activation binding proteins that are characterized by induction in the central nervous system following neuronal activity in rat hippocampus. Such proteins are identified by (i) substantial homology at the nucleotide or protein sequence level to specifically defined rat, human or mouse coding sequences or proteins, (ii) ability to bind to and affect the activity of effector proteins in the CNS, such as metabotropic glutamate receptors, (iii) binding specificity for a particular binding sequence, and (iv) presence in the sequence of a PDZ-like domain. Nucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful in screening and diagnostic assays.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleotide coding sequences and polypeptide sequences for synaptic activation binding proteins that are characterized by induction in the central nervous system following neuronal activity in rat hippocampus. Such proteins are identified by (i) substantial homology at the nucleotide or protein sequence level to specifically defined rat, human or mouse coding sequences or proteins, (ii) ability to bind to and affect the activity of effector proteins in the CNS, such as metabotropic glutamate receptors, (iii) binding specificity for a particular binding sequence, and (iv) presence in the sequence of a PDZ-like domain. Nucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful in screening and diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials related to immediate early genes. Specifically, the invention provides isolated immediate early gene nucleic acid, cells that contain isolated immediate early gene nucleic acid, substantially pure polypeptides encoded by immediate early gene nucleic acid, and antibodies having specific binding affinity for a polypeptide encoded by immediate early gene nucleic acid. In addition, the invention provides cDNA libraries enriched for immediate early genes cDNAs, isolated nucleic acid derived from such cDNA libraries, and methods for treating conditions related to a deficiency in a neuron's immediate early gene responsiveness to a stimulus.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a compound that modulates a cellular response associated with Homer and mediated by a cell-surface or an intracellular receptor. A method is further provided for identifying a compound that modulates receptor activated calcium mobilization associated with Homer. A method is provided for identifying a compound that inhibits Homer protein activity based on the crystal structure coordinates of Homer protein binding domain. A method is also provided for identifying a compound that affects the formation of cell surface receptors into clusters. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding Homer proteins as well as Homer proteins, and Homer interacting proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials related to immediate early genes. Specifically, the invention provides isolated immediate early gene nucleic acid, cells that contain isolated immediate early gene nucleic acid, substantially pure polypeptides encoded by immediate early gene nucleic acid, and antibodies having specific binding affinity for a polypeptide encoded by immediate early gene nucleic acid. In addition, the invention provides cDNA libraries enriched for immediate early genes cDNAs, isolated nucleic acid derived from such cDNA libraries, and methods for treating conditions related to a deficiency in a neuron's immediate early gene responsiveness to a stimulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials related to immediate early genes. Specifically, the invention provides isolated immediate early gene nucleic acid, cells that contain isolated immediate early gene nucleic acid, substantially pure polypeptides encoded by immediate early gene nucleic acid, and antibodies having specific binding affinity for a polypeptide encoded by immediate early gene nucleic acid. In addition, the invention provides cDNA libraries enriched for immediate early genes cDNAs, isolated nucleic acid derived from such cDNA libraries, and methods for treating conditions related to a deficiency in a neuron's immediate early gene responsiveness to a stimulus.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a compound that modulates a cellualr response associate with Homer and mediated by a cell-surface or an intracellular receptor. A method is further provided for identifying a compound that modulates receptor activated calcium mobilization associated with Homer. A method is provided for identifying a compound that inhibits Homer protein activity based on the crystal structure coordinates of Homer protein binding domain. A method is also provided for identifying a compound that affects the formation of cell surface receptors into clusters. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding Homer proteins as well as Homer proteins, and Homer interacting proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleotide coding sequences and polypeptide sequences for synaptic activation binding proteins that are characterized by induction in the central nervous system following neuronal activity in rat hippocampus. Such proteins are identified by (i) substantial homology at the nucleotide or protein sequence level to specifically defined rat, human or mouse coding sequences or proteins, (ii) ability to bind to and affect the activity of effector proteins in the CNS, such as metabotropic glutamate receptors, (iii) binding specificity for a particular binding sequence, and (iv) presence in the sequence of a PDZ-like domain. Nucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful in screening and diagnostic assays.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleotide coding sequences and polypeptide sequences for synaptic activation binding proteins that are characterized by induction in the central nervous system following neuronal activity in rat hippocampus. Such proteins are identified by (i) substantial homology at the nucleotide or protein sequence level to specifically defined rat, human or mouse coding sequences or proteins, (ii) ability to bind to and affect the activity of effector proteins in the CNS, such as metabotropic glutamate receptors, (iii) binding specificity for a particular binding sequence, and (iv) presence in the sequence of a PDZ-like domain. Nucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful in screening and diagnostic assays.